Battalion Chief

Fire Battalion Chief

Under general direction of the Fire Chief or designee, manages and directs assigned shift operations, personnel, and Department programs; oversees emergency response, training, EMS, fire prevention, operational readiness, and other assigned areas of responsibility; supervises and evaluates assigned personnel; serves as an Incident Commander or command officer as appropriate; assists with the development and implementation of Department policies, procedures, programs, and operational plans; coordinates activities with other City departments and partner agencies; and performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

• Manage and coordinate the operations and services of an assigned shift, including fire suppression, EMS, fire prevention, training, and other assigned functions.
• Supervise, direct, mentor, and evaluate assigned personnel; participate in selection, orientation, training, professional development, corrective action, and disciplinary processes.
• Provide administrative and technical direction to assigned personnel and ensure appropriate staffing, apparatus, equipment, and resources are available to maintain operational readiness.
• Respond to emergency incidents and serve as Incident Commander or command officer as appropriate; establish incident objectives, strategies, and priorities in accordance with Department policy and the Incident Command System.
• Maintain operational readiness through the inspection and evaluation of personnel, apparatus, equipment, PPE, facilities, and other Department resources.
• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate Department training activities; identify training or performance deficiencies and ensure appropriate follow-up and corrective action.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Department and shift goals, policies, procedures, operational plans, and assigned programs.
• Manage assigned Department programs, projects, and areas of responsibility; establish priorities and timelines and ensure assigned work is completed accurately and within established deadlines.
• Keep the Fire Chief or designee informed of the status of assigned programs and projects, including significant issues, delays, or resource needs.
• Participate in development and administration of the Department budget and assist in identifying staffing, apparatus, equipment, training, and other resource needs.
• Review emergency incidents, injuries, accidents, and operational performance and recommend improvements to training, safety, policies, and service delivery.
• Coordinate Department activities with City departments, public safety agencies, and other organizations, including automatic aid, mutual aid, and regional response activities.
• Prepare and present reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, plans, statistics, and other documents as required.
• Respond to and assist in resolving personnel, organizational, and community concerns within assigned authority.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, standards, and emerging fire service practices.
• Manage multiple assignments and priorities, exercise independent judgment, and remain accountable to the Fire Chief and established chain of command.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of a Battalion Chief. A typical qualifying background includes seven (7) years of increasingly responsible fire service experience in fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, training, or related operations, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience at the Company Officer level or higher.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; and one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Fire Science, Fire Technology, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or a related field; or

• Associate degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and California State Fire Training Chief Fire Officer certification.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of fire suppression, fire prevention, EMS, training, and emergency operations.

• Fire Department organization, administration, policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.

• Principles of supervision, leadership, employee development, discipline, and the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights.

• Incident command, strategy and tactics, firefighter safety, hazardous materials, and mutual/automatic aid.

• Fire apparatus, equipment, PPE, pre-incident planning, and operational readiness.

• City of Calimesa geography, hazards, water supply, and emergency response resources.

• Budgeting, resource allocation, project management, recordkeeping, and report preparation.

• Computer applications and systems used in fire service operations and administration.

Ability to:

• Lead, supervise, train, evaluate, and hold assigned personnel accountable.

• Command and coordinate emergency operations safely and effectively.

• Manage personnel, apparatus, equipment, and other Department resources.

• Communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.

• Exercise sound judgment and remain effective under stressful conditions.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel, City staff, other agencies, and the public.

• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.

• Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, plans, and other documents.

• Organize, prioritize, and complete multiple programs, projects, and assignments within established deadlines.

• Identify problems, develop solutions, and ensure appropriate follow-through.

• Use computers and Department software necessary to perform assigned duties.

Certifications

Required at Time of Appointment

• California State Fire Training Company Officer

• California State Fire Training Firefighter II

• California State Fire Training Firefighter I

• CICCS Engine Boss (ENGB)

• Fire Officer 3A – Human Resource Management (2020)

or Chief Fire Officer 3A – Human Resource Management for the Chief Fire Officer (2014)

• Fire Officer 3B – Finance and Administration (2020)

or Chief Fire Officer 3B – Budget and Fiscal Responsibilities for Chief Fire Officers (2014) and Chief Fire Officer 3C – General Administration Functions for Chief Fire Officers (2014)

• Fire Officer 3C – Command of Expanding Incidents (2020)

or Chief Fire Officer 3D – Command of Expanding All-Hazard Incidents (2014)

• ICS-300 – Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents

Licenses

• Valid California Class C Driver's License with Firefighter Endorsement, or California Commercial Class A or B Driver's License with applicable air brake and tank endorsements.

• Valid California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certification.

Desired Qualifications

Training – Desired Qualifications & Experience

• California State Fire Training Fire Service Instructor certification.

• California State Fire Training Instructor II

• Experience developing and managing Department training programs, annual training plans, and training calendars.

• Experience coordinating State Fire Training, EMS continuing education, or other fire service training programs.

• Experience developing task books, competency evaluations, and promotional or professional development programs.

• Previous experience as a Department Training Officer or equivalent is highly desirable.

EMS – Desired Qualifications & Experience

• Current California Paramedic License.

• Current ACLS, PALS, and BLS certification, as applicable.

• Experience managing or providing oversight of a fire-based EMS program.

• Experience with EMS quality improvement/quality assurance (QI/QA), continuing education, skills competency, and clinical performance review.

• Experience working with the applicable Local EMS Agency (LEMSA), medical direction, ambulance providers, and receiving facilities.

• Previous experience as an EMS Coordinator, EMS Officer, or equivalent is highly desirable.

Operations – Desired Qualifications & Experience

• CICCS Strike Team/Task Force Leader (STEN/TFLD).

• CICCS Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS).

• Incident Safety Officer.

• ICS-400 – Advanced ICS.

• Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator – Wildland and/or Water Tender.

• Experience serving as an Incident Commander or Command/General Staff member at multi-company or extended incidents.

• Experience with automatic/mutual aid, wildland operations, pre-incident planning, response planning, and operational